Bananatoronto
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Q: SSD and RAM upgrade or buy new machine?

I have a 4 GB 1067 MHz DDR3 - mid 2010 macbook pro. Lots of slowness happening - even in Word Processing and searching emails. I'm a writer and editor- so we're not talking about many heavy apps. Should I go new or upgrade?

MacBook Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9.4), mid 2010

Posted on Sep 17, 2014 11:08 AM

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Bananatoronto

Q: SSD and RAM upgrade or buy new machine?

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  • by C. Arnold,Helpful

    C. Arnold C. Arnold Sep 17, 2014 11:20 AM in response to Bananatoronto
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Sep 17, 2014 11:20 AM in response to Bananatoronto

    It of course depends on your budget, but I have the exact same computer and upgrading to 8GB of RAM breathed new life into it. If you open Activity Monitor while you have a typical compliment of programs running and see very little free RAM, or a large quantity (1GB or close) of page-outs, then upgrading your RAM will really help.

     

    If you want even more speed, you could upgrade your hard drive to a SSD or hybrid (small SSD for the OS and larger HDD for storage), but I would try the RAM first.

  • by Bananatoronto,Helpful

    Bananatoronto Bananatoronto Sep 17, 2014 11:27 AM in response to C. Arnold
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 17, 2014 11:27 AM in response to C. Arnold

    thank you!

  • by Bananatoronto,

    Bananatoronto Bananatoronto Sep 17, 2014 11:32 AM in response to C. Arnold
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 17, 2014 11:32 AM in response to C. Arnold

    i should also add that I am getting squiggly lines on my screen in some areas (happens in spellcheck boxes in mail, sometimes on a spreadsheet or in a document.)

    Scary?

  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Sep 17, 2014 11:42 AM in response to Bananatoronto
    Level 6 (14,434 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 17, 2014 11:42 AM in response to Bananatoronto

    If yours is a 13-inch MacBook Pro, Mid 2010 model (verified) unlike the 15-inch and

    the 17-inch models of Mid 2010, that one can use up to 16GB RAM installed x2 slots.

     

    •How to identify MacBook Pro models

     

    •MacBook Pro: How to remove or install memory

     

    So that'd tend to speed certain aspects of most applications & OS X system a fair bit.

    That would reduce the use of hard disk drive free-space (unused capacity) as VM

    since virtual memory is supplemental to chip RAM, and that means the hard drive is

    being used as a temporary random access memory at slower read-write HDD speed.

     

    The upgrade in RAM at that level, if your computer could use it (correctly identified)

    may cost upward of $200. from quality knowledgeable vendors such as Crucial, or

    OWC macsales - both online. Check your specs against the model identifier and the

    other details to be sure you start out looking at the proper exact upgrade parts.

     

    for a few examples of upgrade ideas:

    http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/powerbook-ibook-macbook/

     

    About OWC, they also offer some of the better SSD models, be sure to get those

    closest to the hard drive data bus speed, since a super-fast one won't be all that

    quick if the bottleneck is an older data speed. But it would be super fast anyway

    compared to a 5400 RPM hard disk drive.

     

    Updating RAM with that model is a matter of details, correct exact parts & installation.

    While the upgrade to an SSD involves opening the computer case, and could be a

    matter best left to experienced professionals, the original HDD may be getting weak

    so even a new hard disk drive may yield a longer functional MB/Pro working life.

     

    PS: for issues regarding the status & health of the MacBook Pro, you may choose

    to visit an Authorized Apple service provider to have a diagnostic test performed;

    this could take some time in their shop. An Apple Store with Genius bar may be

    able to perform some testing and offer advice; in several locations this would be a

    free service, and requires you to set an appointment w/ Genius bar. Older out-of-

    warranty Macs (such as yours) could be inspected & the display issue checked.

     

    Good luck & happy computing!

    edited

  • by Bananatoronto,

    Bananatoronto Bananatoronto Sep 17, 2014 11:40 AM in response to K Shaffer
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 17, 2014 11:40 AM in response to K Shaffer

    thank you- mine is a 15-inch. Am I out of luck?

  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Sep 17, 2014 11:52 AM in response to Bananatoronto
    Level 6 (14,434 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 17, 2014 11:52 AM in response to Bananatoronto

    Up to 8GB total, if the Model identifier matches the build series in question.

    So that'd help compared to 4GB; it would need two matching 4GB chips to

    use both memory channels on the logic board, for 8GB total.

     

    •MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2010)

    Maximum Memory    8.0 GB

    Memory Slots    2 - 204-pin PC3-8500 (1066 MHz) DDR3 SO-DIMM

     

    •Hard Drive Interface    3.0 Gbps Serial ATA (SATA)

    {specs from http://mactracker.ca download database application}

     

    The newer computers do not allow you to upgrade the RAM. You'd buy a

    new one with the idea of expectation based on your choice at the time.

     

    Check the specs to be sure. Also, see my edit above about the display issue.

    Good luck & happy computing!

    edited 2x